Played at Mr. Palmer’s house yesterday, Sanctuary Cove - The Pines. I really really liked it. Conditions were great, very Florida but in a good way. Certainly head and shoulders above Hope Island down the street. Need to get back to The Glades for a comp. Still haven’t played too much down the M1 from home - but it’s certainly more memorable than most at this point. For resort golf I was super into it.
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SC Pines is a really fun round of golf. It loses some momentum on the back nine IMO and I’m not the biggest fan of 17-18 but it definitely doesn’t get enough love.
Agree it’s well in front of Hope Island.
Not inc The Grand (haven’t played yet), Pines and The Glades are the best two on the Goldie.
Deffo go see Glades as a priority but maybe time it for when it’s been dry if you can.
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Yeah, I’ve played it a fair bit.
It’s Florida golf transplanted into Sydney. Given the minimal time you have to see Aussie golf, and given the quality of the rest of your itinerary, I would recommend seeking out Bonnie Doon or driving up to Newcastle that day to see a true Aussie gem.
If you’re being hosted by a member and it’s gotta happen, look, you’re gonna have a fun day. It’s a solid course and the club is a good hang, but IMO the course is “one of these things is not like the others” when I look at your itinerary.
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Thanks for the insight. I read a bit about it and that’s kind of the impression I got. I’ll research whether an alternative is in the cards. Really appreciate your thoughts.
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Will def be waiting it out to revisit Glades a little longer though a mate said it’s pretty good for the rain we have had. My fiancé’s parents live nearby and can confirm it goes UNDER.
If you are squeezing in an extra round in Melbourne I would add Commonwealth. It is different enough to all the other sand belt courses to make it lots of fun. That written, Sandy Links is a fun outing.
As for things to do in Melbourne, you should defnitiely include a trip to the original Movida (Hosier Lane in town). The achovy and tomato sorbet tapa is life changing. The rest of the menu is pretty good. It is great place for a lunch and a few drinks of a referesehing kind when you are mooching around Melbourne.
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That itinerary looks absolutely sick in terms of courses @ChasingScratch , but i’m just gona put it out there that it makes me tired even thinking about that much golf on successive days. Getting old fucking sucks.
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Hahaha. I hear you. This trip is my gift to myself (and I guess it’s from my wife too) for turning 50. We will see if this old body holds up!
I’ll only have so many chances to play the Sandbelt so I’m willing to try to play as much as possible.
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Thank you! Always looking for a life changing food experience.
Just realised it’s in January, too. Here’s hoping you don’t cop one of the scorching hot weeks in Melbourne…
You could also do this Day 1 or Day 3 after golf but if the AO Tennis is on while you’re in town then that could be a great first day activity. It’s an awesome hang in there and the city is buzzing when it’s on
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I love this idea. Thank you!
Are you looking for cheap and cheerful public or more high end?
Yarra Bend and Albert Park are 18 hole courses close to the CBD. I’d rate them in that order.
9 holes at Royal Park and Westgate - very basic.
Best public course in melb is Sandy Links which is about 40 mins by car. I think around $75 for 18 holes on weekends.
You might get lucky at a private course that accepts public play on Friday afternoon but not on Saturday.
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Thanks! Great suggestions for the Saturday. I have pushed the boat out at KH had a space on the Friday morning (11am if anyone wants to join ?)
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Not really a suggestion on what to do or where to go, but if you are of that particular age, on the flight over you might enjoy listening to an Australian band called Custard (90s alt pop/rock). I am not sure the extent to which Americans might know of Custard or why they are moderately cool again (amongst parents). However, if you don’t know, don’t Google until you have listened to their best of album (Goodbye Cruel World) once or twice. Provided no one spoils it for you, you will get a kick out of it.
There is zero chance that Americans have heard of Custard, or even know the guy in questions name! I’ve always had a soft spot for Apartment though, just good dumb fun.
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Why Custard specifically? Just curious…
I remember I went to Fatty Vaughton’s celebrity testimonial cricket match at the old ANZ stadium in Brisbane… Custard played. Wild.
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I am assuming Drone doesnt want to say it outright, but there is a direct connection between Custard and a global phenomenon kids cartoon.
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I’m the worst Brisbane resident hey… I’ve never seen it.
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